Keep the Ramadan spirit alive

The month of Ramadan that we are currently in is a holy month that is eagerly and enthusiastically awaited by the whole Islamic world. It is so because the Holy Quran, which brings people to holy light from darkness, to the path of our Lord the all Merciful and Most Beneficent, was revealed in this month.

Fasting during this holy month, an obligation for Muslims, is an opportunity for them to acknowledge the infinite grace and blessings of Allah Almighty It is also a physical and spiritual healing; a gift, and a month of blessings, abundance, an opportunity to repent for past behaviour and to seek for mercy from our Lord.

All Muslims fast to gain our Lord’s pleasure. However, in addition to it being a means for our Lord’s approval, it also is very beneficial for our bodies. First of all, fasting allows the organs to take some time off and rest. For instance, during fasting, the digestion processes are reduced, and the stomach gets to rest for quite some time. Its epithelia tissue can be renewed completely, which helps the stomach to function in a more healthy manner during the rest of the year.

Fasting also allows the liver, which works non-stop in normal times, to rest for six or more hours. Normally, it is active even when we are asleep, but while fasting, it also finds the chance to rest. Since the volume of blood circulating drops, the heart and the primary veins feeding it are regenerated.

Fasting helps cell regeneration, making our bodies and minds healthier and it slows down ageing. It also helps protect us from obesity, fat building, cholesterol, and cardiovascular diseases. It contributes to purging our bodies from harmful toxins. While fasting, fat enzymes kick in and help burn fat, creating a condition similar to the effect of a workout session. Even after the 30 days of fasting, the body continues to burn fat at this rate.

Just like all other religious practices, fasting also intensifies the spirituality of Muslims. It makes them witness to each other’s sincere faith in our Lord, their loyalty, patience and sincere efforts, making their fraternal bonds even stronger and it also reinforces their love and compassion for each other. Muslims, due to this brotherly bond they have, work to eliminate all kinds of negativity that can disturb the sense of calm and try to build atmospheres of love, peace and serenity for all. They know that their Muslim brothers are also poor servants of Almighty, just like themselves, hoping to gain God’s pleasure; therefore, their feelings of love, solidarity and compassion for one another only intensify in this holy month.

A pious Muslim who fears Allah Almighty deeply displays this beautiful character of fasting in every moment of his life. He follows the noble Quran fully throughout his life, and works to live by the morality, he hopes that Allah will approve of in every waking minute.

It should not be forgotten that this is a behaviour that Allah approves of. However, anything to the contrary — in other words, observing religious practices only in the month of Ramadan, and then walking away from the Quran’s morality after it ends - is something that displeases Allah greatly. Therefore, let us endeavour to keep the spirit of Ramadan alive throughout the year and always strive to earn God’s good pleasure, no matter what month we are in.